September 20, 2006 - DePauw University 2 - Wabash College 1- a Loss in the statistic column but a major step for our soccer program.

Why do I say that?  After all, we lost, didn't we? And against a super rival like DePauw?! 

Even though it may sound crazy, I was not saddened by the lost, because I finally saw something on the pitch I was waiting to revealed its face since the beginning of our preseason, last August 19th.

We are not the most talented group of players. We are not the most tactically savvy players. We are not the fastest or the strongest players on the pitch. Therefore, we must rely on "IT" in order to compete, win, and be successful.

I remember this movie I saw years back called "City Slickers." It was a film about three friends, city creatures, who decided to spend two weeks together in the prairies, herding horses form one ranch to another, about 150 miles away. The three buddies were there for the same reason, try to find a meaning, something that would make them feel alive and that would clearly point out the direction to which they needed to travel in order to find satisfaction in their every day lives.

One day they met "Curly," an aging, rough cow boy (played by Jack Pallance) who, during a slow ride, told Billy Crystal what life was all about by raising his index finger and saying: "This is it, this is the meaning of life."  Puzzled and confused, Billy Crystal asked: "What? Your finger?"  "No. One thing and one thing only." Pallance replied.  "And what is it?" a curios Crystal inquired. "That's for you to find out." Pallance concluded with a grin on his face.

Yesterday, the IT of our season was right on the pitch. What was it? What's the IT that finally showed its face?  Well, that needs to be found out by each and every one of our soccer players.  Was IT desire? Was IT passion? Was IT determination? Was IT communication? Was IT organization? Was IT focus? Was IT resiliency? Or was IT something else? The IT may mean different things to different people; it doesn't matter. Whatever IT was, it needs to be brought out every time for ten more games this season.

The  answer that Curly never gave because he couldn't, belongs to each individual and his personal journey through the remaining of the season. IT can be found only if every player digs inside his heart and mind.

You found IT yesterday against DePauw. Keep IT with you for ten more games!